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BRT Letter on FCC Proposal to Reclassify Broadband

Dear Chairman Wheeler :

Last month, President Obama issued a statement urging the FCC to reclassify consumer broadband service under Title II of the Communications Act. We are writing on behalf of Business Roundtable's membership to express opposition to using Title II of the 1934 Communications Act as the principal basis for FCC action to maintain an open Internet .

Business Roundtable CEOs believe that government intervention in the economy is occasionally necessary to achieve societal goals. However,we also believe that such intervention must be done in a way that promotes economic growth and job creation. For this reason, our membership strongly advocates for smart regulation and believes in the following principles:

• Regulation must be justified by a compelling public need, such as demonstrated market failure.

• Regulatory decisions should be based on the best available information, not speculation.

• Regulatory choices should maximize certainty and minimize burdens, so as to promote investment,innovation, and competitiveness .

Business Roundtable is opposed to applying last century's regulatory tools to our rapidly-evolving Internet. We believe that it is also unwarranted given the lack of demonstrated market failure to maintain an open Internet. You will find in the attachment further background on Business Roundtable's position on this issue and thoughts on a reasonable path forward.

Thank you for considering our views, and we look forward to working with you on a path forward for this issue that meets the principles of smart regulation.

Sincerely,

 

John Engler

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